[Electron microscope study of the effect of sanguiritrin on bacteria in vitro]

Electron microscopic studies aimed at the determination of the mode of action of sanguiritrin have shown that the drug induced significant morphological changes in grampositive and gramnegative bacteria. Sanguiritrin at a concentration equal to 1 MIC induced local elimination of the inner electron dense layer of the cell wall and deformation of the division septa in Staph. aureus. This resulted in the impairment of the cell division. Impairment of the cell integrity and formation of the protoplast-like structures were observed. The cytoplasm of the cells exposed to sanguiritrin had diffuse electron dense formations and homogenous zones of medium electron density as a result of destructive processes in it. At a concentration of 2 MIC sanguiritrin induced significant thinning of the cell walls, elimination of the inner electron dense layer and increasing of the bacterial cell size. A small granular component of varying electron density was observed at the site of the nucleoid.